Tourism

Tourism Promotion

Continued investment and support for tourism marketing to achieve a full and sustained recovery as quickly as possible.

Training And Development

Targeted funding and resources for training and skills development.

Cost Competitiveness

Retention of the 9% VAT rate for tourism businesses in line with European competitors.

Cost Of Doing Business

Minimise government-controlled costs for the Tourism sector, including in relation to utility levies and local authority rates and charges.

Sustainability

Target funding for retrofitting of tourism businesses to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Insurance

Accelerate the work of the Insurance Competition Office at the Department of Finance to ensure the urgent entry of more underwriters into the Irish liability insurance market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for Cork to remain globally competitive and fulfil its role nationally as set out in Project Ireland 2040, significant government investment in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, to regional and international connectivity, housing, health, education, innovation, energy, water, resilience and climate mitigation must be sustained. In tandem, investment funding must be put in place to support Cork to lead the transition to becoming a climate neutral and smart city by 2030 as part of the EU Cities Mission.

For Cork to accommodate a growing population it is equally important that we invest in our social infrastructure to enable the best quality of life possible for all citizens. Budget 2023 must go some way to tackling issues with healthcare provision. With population growth and population aging, the necessity for significant health infrastructure is certain. Plans to progress a new elective hospital and acute hospital in Cork must be strengthened and progressed with urgency.

Additionally, Cork will be more densely populated in its existing urban footprint under strategic plans. It is critical An Garda Síochána are resourced to police cities such as Cork in a safe manner and are enabled to increase visual presence on streets to deter and detect crime.

Finally, the arts, culture and creativity are key components of quality of life, and important contributors to our urban economy and vital to the success of the city. The realisation of the Events Centre venue with the potential to bring 6,000-person capacity and associated infrastructure to enable and facilitate cultural activity is key. The investment in and evolution of longstanding national institutions such as the Crawford Art Gallery must continue to be endorsed. Creative funds and supports must be strengthened - arts and culture programmes whatever their size and scale, are an essential resource to contribute to economic development and the attractiveness of Cork while bolstering social cohesion, citizens’ sense of pride, belonging and integration.